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Jackets' Savard Notches Two Assists

News:David Savard picked up two assists and was a plus-3 in Friday's win over the Sabres.

Analysis:David Savard is finishing the season strong, notching nine points in his last 12 games. Skating on the top defensive pairing with Jack Johnson, Savard has put together a great season, recording 11 goals and 35 points. With 67 PIM, three power-play goals and 108 shots on goal, this emerging fantasy stud isn't going to be able to fly under the radar in most fantasy leagues next season.

Jackets' Savard Gets Assist, Four PIM In Win

News:David Savard recorded an assist and four PIM in Saturday's win over the Blues.

Analysis:David Savard isn't lighting up the score sheet, but with a goal and three assists over his last six games, he's certainly making an impact of late for the Blue Jackets. The assist Saturday gives him 30 points on the campaign, which may only represent the baseline for the 24-year-old's production over the next few years.

Jackets' Savard Hits Double-Digit Goals

News:David Savard scored his 10th goal of the year Tuesday in a 5-3 loss to the Capitals.

Analysis: Few prognosticators -- if any -- foresaw David Savard doubling his goal total from last year with this much season to go, but even so, he has a modest 25 points in 63 games. For what it's worth, though, four of those points have come in the last six contests.

Two Helpers For Jackets' Savard

News:David Savard handed out assists on both Columbus goals Thursday in a 5-2 loss to the Canadiens.

Analysis: Despite the losing effort, it's another entry in a series of recent productive efforts for David Savard, who's picked up seven points over his last 10 games. He makes a reasonable add for the back end of the fantasy blue line for owners in need.

Jackets' Savard Gathers Two Points In Loss

News:David Savard registered a goal and an assist in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Kings.

Analysis: With a couple of injured mates, David Savard continued to see an uptick in his ice time as he skated for 23:44 in the loss, well up from his season average. The blueliner has 20 points on the season, including four in the last five games, and could be worthy of consideration in deeper formats.

Jackets' Savard Tallies Assist In Win

News:David Savard chipped in with an assist in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Senators.

Analysis: With James Wisniewski (lower body) and Ryan Murray (ankle) both missing Saturday, David Savard saw his ice time rise to 23:15, about a minute more than his season average. Murray is slated to miss the next four-to-six weeks, while Wisniewski's projected return date remains unknown, providing Savard ample opportunity to see further action on the top pairing with Jack Johnson. The 24-year-old has already attained fantasy relevance in deeper leagues, as his seven goals and 18 points over 51 games indicate he possesses a little more scoring upside than most blueliners.

Jackets' Savard Gets Third Game-Winner

News:David Savard registered the game-winning goal in Sunday's defeat of the Avalanche.

Analysis:David Savard has made his seven snipes on the season count, as three of them have been of the game-winning variety. The 24-year-old is enjoying a solid season with 14 points across 37 games, which is probably enough to keep him on the radar in deeper leagues.

Jackets' Savard Picks Up Two Assists Saturday

News:David Savard recorded two assists, two shots on goal, four PIM and eight hits in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Penguins.

Analysis: His minus-9 rating is a little hard to swallow, but David Savard has become a potential fantasy asset in deep leagues with 11 points (five goals, six assists) and 20 PIM in 29 games, as well as 38 blocked shots and 65 hits for owners in leagues that use those categories.

Jackets' Savard Notches Fourth Goal

News:David Savard tallied his fourth goal of the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Sharks.

Analysis: With seven points in 17 games, the 24-year-old David Savard is already halfway to his point total from last season. He's benefited greatly from an uptick of nearly five minutes of ice time per game from 2013-14, and should remain a mainstay on the blue line for the Blue Jackets even after Saturday's acquisition of Jordan Leopold from St. Louis.

Jackets' Savard Picks Up First Goal Saturday

News:David Savard scored his first goal of the season during Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Senators.

Analysis: He's off to a bit of a rough start on the defensive end, racking up a quick minus-4 through five games, but David Savard's seeing regular time as part of the Jackets' second power play unit and should easily be able to top last season's career bests of five goals and 15 points.

Jackets Extend Savard For Two Years

News: The Blue Jackets have re-signed David Savard to a two-year deal. No terms were released.

Analysis: He tallied 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 70 games in 2013-14 and had 28 PIM and a plus-2 rating. He was strong in his own zone and finished with 81 blocked shots, a total good enough to put him fourth on the team in that category. He was also second on the team in hits with 149.

Savard Grabs Assist In Columbus loss

News:David Savard notched his fourth assist of the playoffs in Saturday's Game 5 loss to Pittsburgh in their Metropolitan Division semifinal series.

Analysis:David Savard had a mere 15 points in the regular season but sits with four points through five games as the Jackets stare down elimination on Monday. Savard has always had an offensive flair to his game, but he was overshadowed on the Jackets' blue line by Jack Johnson, James Wisniewski and the likes of Ryan Murray as far as point production. He's seeing power-play chances and has two of his four assists on the man advantage.

Jackets' Savard Dishes Two Assists Saturday

News:David Savard recorded two assists in Saturday's 4-3 double-OT win over the Penguins.

Analysis: He saw huge ice time in this one (almost 34 minutes, more than double his Game 1 TOI) and rewarded coach Todd Richards' faith. David Savard had just five goals and 15 points during the regular season though, so don't expect him to keep it up.

Jackets' Savard Gets Fifth Goal Of Season

News:David Savard came away with his fifth goal of the season in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Lightning.

Analysis: After dishing out an assist Wednesday against the Stars, David Savard has provided points in consecutive games. However, considering this minor scoring outburst was preceded by a 19-game pointless streak, Savard shouldn't be invested in too heavily.

Jackets' Savard Has Two-Point Night

News:David Savard scored a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Talk about lightning striking twice - David Savard racked up those PP points despite playing just 31 seconds with the man advantage. His ice time should be consistent while Fedor Tyutin is sidelined, but Savard has just four goals and 13 points in 48 games for a reason. Don't expect a big offensive surge from him.

Jackets' Savard To Remain Out Thursday

News: Updating a previous report, David Savard (illness) will not play Thursday vs. the Capitals, according to Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis:David Savard was viewed as probable for Thursday after sitting out the last three games, but coach Todd Richards said the defenseman isn't quite back to 100 percent health. Cody Goloubef remains in the lineup in his stead.

Jackets' Savard Expected To Play Thursday

News:David Savard (illness) is considered probable for Thursday's game vs. the Capitals, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: Although coach Todd Richards hasn't decided on his lineup yet for Thursday, it sounds like David Savard will at least be available for consideration. He's missed the previous three games with the illness.

Jackets Rule Out Savard For Monday

News:David Savard (illness) will not play Monday vs. the Hurricanes, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: With David Savard set to miss his second consecutive game, either Cody Goloubef or Tim Erixon will be paired up with Nikita Nikitin on defense. Savard's availability for Tuesday's game vs. the Senators is still in question.

Blue Jackets' Savard Out Saturday

News:David Savard (illness) is out for Saturday's game in Tampa Bay, Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis:David Savard woke up ill Saturday and was deemed a game-time decision. The Blue Jackets recalled Cody Goloubef, but Gouloubef won't make it to Tampa Bay in time for the game, leaving Columbus with just five active defensemen.

Blue Jackets' Savard Day-To-Day With Illness

News:David Savard (illness) will be a game-time decision according to coach Todd Richards.

Analysis:David Savard woke up ill on Saturday morning and seems doubtful to play . The team has already recalled Cody Goloubef from AHL Springfield, so they will likely keep Savard out and give him time to get better.

Jackets' Savard Not At Practice Saturday

Analysis: He also said that Tim Erixon would get the nod Sunday if David Savard can't play though, so this seems to be a bit more than just a rest day for the defenseman. For now though, assume Savard will be in the lineup Sunday against the Penguins.

Jackets' Savard Has Two-Point Night

News:David Savard scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Flyers.

Analysis: He's already tied his previous career highs in goals (two) and assists (eight) with a lot of season yet to play. David Savard doesn't have a lot of fantasy value, but he seems to have found fairly consistent ice time this season with the Jackets.

Jackets' Savard Scores First Goal

News:David Savard scored his first goal of the year Thursday against the Rangers, an unassisted first-period tally that ended up being the game-winner.

Analysis: For the second straight game, David Savard saw more than 20 minutes of ice time, but it took him only 11:10 into the action Thursday to snap his four-game pointless skid. The 23-year-old has undeniable offensive upside -- he's been a consistent producer at the AHL level -- but has yet to successfully settle into a featured role on the Columbus blue line. He's got an opportunity right now with James Wisniewski hurt, though.

Jackets' Savard To Re-Join Lineup

News:David Savard, a healthy scratch in the last four games, will get a chance to re-join the lineup in the wake of the injury to James Wisniewsi (upper body), the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: Wisniewski had been skating with rookie Ryan Murray recently, so David Savard will likely slide into that pairing. He'll get at least a couple of games to demonstrate that he deserves to escape the press box, but most likely this is just a temporary reprieve for Savard.

Jackets' Savard Keeping Spot For Now

News: Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said that David Savard would not lose his spot on the blue line when Fedor Tyutin rejoins the lineup Saturday, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: It looks like Nikita Nikitin might be the odd man out for this one, although with seven viable NHL defensemen Richards will likely do a lot of mixing and matching to try and keep everyone fresh unless someone plays himself into the press box.

Jackets' Savard Continues His Solid Play

News:David Savard picked up his second assist of the season in Thursday's 4-1 stomping of the Sabres.

Analysis: He's played in all three games this season with Fedor Tyutin (lower body) sidelined, leaving Tim Erixon stuck in the press box, and David Savard seems to have locked down the Blue Jackets' seventh defenseman spot. When Tyutin returns to the lineup, expect Erixon to get a ticket down to AHL Springfield.

Jackets' Savard Makes The Cut

News:David Savard will begin the season on the Blue Jackets' roster, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: In a bit of a surprise, it appears as though the Jackets will carry eight defensemen on their 23-man roster to begin the season, although fear of losing David Savard on waivers likely played into that decision. He'll probably be spending a lot of time in the press box though, so don't look for much fantasy value here.

Jackets' Savard In Battle For Final Blue Line Spot

News: With Dalton Prout healthy and rookie Ryan Murray apparently having sewn up a roster spot, David Savard is in a battle with Tim Erixon, Cody Goloubef, Ilari Menart and Will Weber for the seventh spot on the Blue Jackets blue line, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis:David Savard would have to clear waivers to be sent back down to AHL Springfield, as would Goloubef, so a trade before Monday's waiver deadline wouldn't be surprising given the depth the Jackets are carrying.

Jackets' Savard To Get Look In Camp

News: Dalton Prout's injury could create an opportunity for David Savard to break camp on the NHL roster, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: Last year's second overall pick Ryan Murray has a big edge in the battle for any blue line openings, but if he proves not to be ready then David Savard, Cody Goloubef or Ilari Melart could take advantage. A veteran signing is also a possibility, but Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen seems comfortable with the organization's depth for the moment.

Blue Jackers Sign Savard

News:David Savard has signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Blue Jackets, the team's official website reports.

Analysis:David Savard has played in 35 career games with Columbus, totaling 2 goals and eight assists, and has spent time with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL. The 22-year-old will provide depth and flexibility under his new contract with the Blue Jackets.

Savard Recalled By Blue Jackets

News:David Savard has been recalled from AHL Springfield, the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Analysis:David Savard, who has recorded a 5-26-31 line with 40 penalty minutes in 60 games with Springfield to date, gets the call from the big club, with fellow blueliner Adrian Aucoin currently banged up.

Jackets Assign Savard To Minors

News:David Savard was assigned to AHL Springfield on Saturday, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: The Blue Jackets made the move with the expectation that James Wisniewski (concussion) expected to return to the lineup Sunday. David Savard appeared in three games during his stint with the Blue Jackets, scoring no points and accruing a minus-3 rating.

Jackets' Savard Will Likely Play Thursday

News:David Savard, a healthy scratch through the first seven games of the season, will probably suit up on Thursday after both Nikita Nikitin and Adrian Aucoin suffered injuries in Tuesday's loss to the Wild.

Analysis: He could take Nikitin's spot on the second power play unit as well, but don't expect much fantasy return from David Savard given how inept the Blue Jackets' offense has been so far.

Jackets' Savard Called Up From AHL

News:David Savard was recalled from Springfield of the AHL and skated with John Moore on the fourth defensmen pairing in Monday's scrimmage, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis:David Savard had three goals and 18 points in 34 games with Springfield during the lockout. It looks like he could win a spot on the NHL roster. If not, he may shuttle back and forth between the minors and Columbus.

Savard Active In Columbus Rout

News:David Savard grabbed a goal and an assist in Tuesday's win over San Jose, ending a six-game scoring drought.

Analysis:David Savard had been invisible the last six games for Columbus, but was active in Tuesday's win. He has an offensive flair to his game and can be an impact player for the Sport Coats in the future, but he is more potential than production at this point of his career.

Blue Jackets Assign Savard To AHL Springfield

News: The Blue Jackets assigned David Savard to AHL Springfield on Friday, according to the Blue Jackets' official website.

Analysis:David Savard appeared in eight of the Blue Jackets' last nine games, but he will head back to Springfield to open up a roster spot for recently-signed Brett Lebda. Savard has appeared in 15 total games for the Blue Jackets this season, so don't be surprised to see him back with the club later this season.

Blue Jackets Recall Savard

News: The Blue Jackets recalled David Savard from AHL Springfield on Saturday, according to the team's official Twitter page.

Analysis:David Savard appeared in seven games with the Blue Jackets earlier this season and recorded two assists and six PIMs. His status for Saturday's game will likely hinge on whether or not Nikita Nikitin (illness) is able to play.

Jackets Send Savard Back To Springfield

News: The Blue Jackets sent David Savard back to AHL Springfield on Friday, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: Maksim Mayorov will join David Savard in Springfield, and Matt Calvert will be recalled. In seven games this season Savard has two points (assists). The 21-year-old defenseman could return to Columbus at some point if there is an injury or suspension.

Quick Return To Blue Jackets Expected For Savard

News:David Savard was sent to AHL Springfield to play in Wednesday night's game, but he'll be recalled Thursday when the Blue Jackets play the Sabres, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

Analysis: With Radek Martinek and Marc Methot both hurt the Jackets' blue line needs warm bodies, and since David Savard had been a healthy scratch since last Friday, the club wanted him to shake off any rust down in Springfield.

Blue Jackets' Savard Notches First NHL Point

News:David Savard picked up a power-play assist Saturday, his first point in the NHL.

Analysis: James Wisniewski is back in three games but David Savard seems to have done enough to stay on the roster when the Blue Jackets' big blue line gun does return. The rookie's played in all five games so far and is only a minus-1 on a winless club, although there's always a chance Savard could see the same 'rescue' demotion that Cam Atkinson did.

Savard Could Begin Season On Blue Jackets' Roster

News: James Wisniewski's eight-game suspension opens the door for David Savard to begin the season on the NHL roster.

Analysis: He was in the hunt for the seventh defenseman spot anyway, but the Jackets suddenly have a need for someone to contribute on the power play while Wisniewski is sidelined and David Savard fits that bill better than John Moore, Nick Holden or the other bubble candidates. He's still a better keeper league asset than a player who will pay immediate dividends, but Savard could get a chance to prove he belongs in the NHL sooner than expected.